Sanitary napkin



Jan. 26, 1932. s. MATHEY 1,843,37

SANITARY NAPKIN Filed July 19, 1928 dlto: new

tively expensive and Patented Jan. 26, 1932 l UNITED YSTATES PATENTOFFICE GUSTAVE S. MATHEY,

SON, OF NEW BRUNSWICK,

SANITARY NAPKIN Application tiled. July 19,

For a number of years it has been the absorbtive pads or iillingelements of sanitary napkins of superposed thin sheets or layers 5 ofcellulosic or other readilydisposable 'material, a waterproofbackingbeing used to protect the clothing. Rubber, gutta percha, cellophane,cellulose esters, oil silk, and like eilicient waterproo materlals arecomparaare employed only in the higher priced napkins. Hence, it isusual to employ relatively inexpensive substitutes y such as waxedpapers of various kinds, including crepe cellulose paper, whoseprotective properties are indiierent at best. And the situation isaggravated by the rapid stanching action of the filling which iscompletely penetrated in a central localized area in a very short time,with the result that there is leakage and staining.

The object of the invention is to provide a low cost napkin which shallbe free from the disadvantages vand defects mentioned.

The nature of the invention consists in overcoming conditions making forrapid local or centralized penetration y a novel assemblage of pa'delements and separators or baiiies whose office it is to check iowbetween adjacent pad elements .until diiii'usion has occurred throughoutthe entire cross-section of the active pad element whereupon seepageensues to the next pad and the iusing operation is repeated. Evidentlythe separators are of semi-waterproof composition for which manymaterials are qualiiied. Preferably, however, the separators should beof such character as not to detract from the flexibility, softness andconormability of the' absorbtive elements and in fact they should be soconstructed and disposed as not to alter the general appearance of thepad.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure1 is a sectional view of a sanitary napkin embodying the invention.

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are modifications of the absorbent pad or filling.

In the embodiment Fig-1, the .pad 5 which maybe of any appropriatecomposition is divided into top and bottom halves orl sec- 1928. SerialNo. 294,025.

tions by a separator element 6 extending flush with the marginal wallsof the pad.

As premised, the separator is such as is calculated to check or retardluid flow to the next section until complete diffusion has ensued in thetop section and to then permit seepage through it to the bottom sectionwhere the same diffusing action' occurs due to the presence of the usualgarment protection 7. Evidently a number of materials are well qualifiedfor the purpose. One that has been hi hly satisfactor is lightly waxedcrepe ce Iulose paper. his is in the form of a thin wafer-like sheet orfilm. Whatever proper material is used the eect of the presence of theseparator is completely to utilize by diusion each pad stage beforepenetration occurs to the next pad stage.

rIhe inventive idea may be practiced more effectively by increasing thenumber of separating films or sheets. It does not necessarily follow'that the overall depth of the pad must, in such instance, be increased.In fact the use of separators or diffusion elements warrants a reductionof the regular thickness which of course makes for greaterconformability and comfort. Fig. 2 shows two separators 8 making forthree pad stages; and Fig. 3 shows three separators 9, resulting in afour-stage pad Evidently the invention is not limited to any specialtype of filling or absorbent medium and crepe cellulose paper, cotton,wood or4 cellulose pulp, or mixtures thereof or any other suitablematerial'that may be disposed in layer form, will function well with theseparators or diiusion elements.

Under some conditions it is possible to employ separators perforated, asat 10, in Fig. 4.

In higher priced napkins there may be combined withthe new pad a softfabric element, Fig. 5, having a waterproof backing 11 andv waterproofsides 12 with pervious Win s 13 folded over the top of the pad.

O viously in order to complete the article the usual gauze wrapper isemployed.

Having described the nature and objects of the invention what is claimedis A sanitary napkin embodying a multi- :stage absorbent pad, and baiesdefining said stages and comprising film-like sheets of lsoftconformable material inherently porous but impregnated to make them fora. defi- 5 nite time interval fluid-repellent whereby they are ei'eetiveto promote diffusion throughout substantially the entire erosssection ofthe exposed pad stage, whereupon the proximate baffle sucoumbs to slowseepage l0 action and exposes the next ad stage.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GUSTAVE S. MATHEY.

6.0.l v I

